Our 3-day tour to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda is perfect for those short on time but eager to encounter these rare primates in their natural habitat. This short adventure is also easy to combine with a safari tour in any of our other destinations in East Africa.
Our 3-day tour to see the mountain gorillas in Uganda is perfect for those short on time but eager to encounter these rare primates in their natural habitat. This short adventure is also easy to combine with a safari tour in any of our other destinations in East Africa.
Experience the emerald green hills of Rwanda and Uganda on a spectacular drive from Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The serpentine roads wind through lush rainforests, skirting hilltops (keep your eyes open for the volcanos!) and dipping into lively villages in the valley before arriving to the serene waters of Lake Mutanda. A representative from Mutanda Lake Resort will carry out this transfer and can pick you up at Kigali Airport or at any address in Kigali.
Offering some of the best views in Uganda, Mutanda Lake Resort is perched on a peninsula overlooking a series of small islands scattered across the water and the volcanoes from the Virunga Range rising out of the mist in the distance.
Gorilla Tracking is the main highlight of a visit to the southern parts of Bwindi Forest, but you are also in the perfect place for volcano hikes, birding, nature and culture walks and canoe and paddle board excursions. The sunset scenes are unforgettable so make sure to find your way to the lodge’s veranda in time for sundowners.
Note: Your international flight must arrive no later than 1 pm to make the drive to Mutanda Lake Resort on the same day. For later arrivals we can arrange an overnight stay in Kigali at an additional cost.
| Journey Time | 4, 5 hours |
| Accommodation | Mutanda Lake Resort |
| Meal Plan | Dinner |
Optional upgrade: Luxury Cottage
The spacious Luxury Cottages at Mutanda Lake Resort boast the best views of the lake and the volcanoes. From the comfort of your private veranda you can enjoy the seclusion and tranquility of this beautiful spot on the lake.
Upgrade is available at an additional cost of USD 40 per person per night.
Encountering the rare and endangered Mountain Gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is an experience of a lifetime.
Half of the world’s population of gorillas live under the mist-covered canopies of Uganda’s oldest and most biologically diverse rainforest. In the company of an experienced park ranger you will be tracking the whereabouts of one of the nine habituated family groups who reside here.
Your tracking experience will be an exciting, yet challenging, journey along forested (often muddy and slippery) slopes, tangled vines, thick vegetation and bamboo forests before you reach the territory of these gentle giants. En-route, your ranger will point out telltale signs of previous gorilla activity, like dung, nests and chewed bamboo shoots. Depending on the location of the gorillas on any given day the walk can take anything from 2 to 7 hours. Once the family of gorillas have been located, settle in to your surroundings and enjoy the hour you have to quietly observe these fascinating primates whose habits and mannerisms remind us so much of our own.
Encountering the mountain gorillas in the wild is a truly humbling and emotional experience, one that you are sure to remember for the rest of your life.
The lodge will provide your gorilla tracking permit. Remember to bring the permit and your passport (original) when you depart for the hike.
| Accommodation | Mutanda Lake Resort |
| Meal Plan | Breakfast, packed lunch & Dinner |
Enjoy your last sunrise in this beautiful corner of Uganda and take a rejuvenating swim in the lake before a hearty Mutanda breakfast.
A representative from Mutanda Lake Resort will drive you back across the border to Rwanda and drop you off at Kigali International Airport 3 hours before your departure time. Please make sure your flight departure is after 4 pm at the very earliest. For flights departing before 4 pm you will need an extra night in Kigali, which we can help arrange for you at an additional cost.
Not ready to leave this beautiful spot? No problem. Extra nights at Mutanda Lake Resort can be booked upon request, at an additional cost of USD 95 per person per night on full board (shared room basis).
| Journey Time | 4, 5 hrs |
| Accommodation | Not included |
| Meal Plan | Breakfast |
For more information about the rates and conditions, click here.
Trip tip!
You can get an East-African Visa in advance which will allow you multiple entries to both Rwanda and Uganda. The cost of the visa is USD 100 per person, compared to USD 50 per person for a single entry visa.
Did we hit all the items on your travel bucket list for Uganda?
If not, don’t worry. We specialize in tailor-made tours and can customize this program to create your dream trip. Get in touch with your personal Travel Consultant to create your personalized program.
Don't want the fun to end?
Why not combine this tour with a beach holiday in Zanzibar or spend a few days in the tropical paradise that is the Kenyan coast? We take care of everything from flights to transfers and accommodation so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Explore our other destinations or speak with your personal Travel Consultant for some expert advice on suitable combinations.
If you want to extend your tour to one of our other destinations or if you'd like to add a few "off-the-beaten-track" sidetrips to the itinerary, click here to see our extensions.
You can download this tour by clicking on the "download this tour" button. Want to ask more questions? Go ahead!
